Try it – Exploring the Cleveland Metroparks
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When you hear (or think!) Cleveland, the first thought that comes to your mind probably isn’t luscious, green parks filled with walking and hiking trails, streams and picnic areas. Well it should be! Yes, we are more than steel factories up here! The area’s most under-rated and beautiful gem, The Cleveland Metroparks, one of several Ohio Metroparks, is a system of nature preserves in Greater Cleveland that encircle the city of Cleveland, and are right in our own backyard.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
“These generally follow the rivers that flow through the region to Lake Erie. Referred to affectionately as the “Emerald Necklace” the network of 16 reservations across 22,000 acres (89 km²) includes hundreds of miles of walking, bicycle, and horse trails, parks, picnic areas, five nature education centers, six golf courses, and abundant fishing holes. In addition, the park district manages the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland. Several of the parks are adjacent to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.”
As part of our ADVENTUROUS weekend, the Mister and I spent an entire day at the North Chagrin Reservation. We hiked through the park for more than 3 1/2 hours and we didn’t even see it all (Note: there are 16 reservations total, we explored ONE).
While we were hiking we talked quite a bit about the Metroparks and how lucky we are to have such a great park system. We realized that we don’t utilize it enough and are planning on exploring one area of the Metropark reservations every weekend for the rest of the summer. I’m THRILLED with this new plan! Not only do I love the outdoors, but hiking is a great way to get in our exercise, without having to go to the gym and feel like a lil hamster on a wheel.
See, believe it or not, I’ve never been quite good at sports. Sure, I danced competitively for several years, and I think know it’s a real sport, but you know what I mean… tennis….soccer…softball…basketball…the list goes on. See, for a klutzy girl who doesn’t know her left from right (SERIOUSLY, I still have to do the little “L” thing with my hand — I wish I was kidding), sports and I didn’t really get along. I think this plays a bit into why I like hiking so much! While so many sports require special equipment or training, hiking isn’t as complicated. Anyone can put on a pair of shoes or boots and a backpack with a few snacks and necessary equipment and start moving into the woods for a day with nature, and voila! — you are hiking.
According to an article highlighting the benefits of hiking, “hiking or trekking allows us to maintain our body in good working condition by walking which is really a good exercise. It improves our physical as well as mental health and the list of benefits from hiking and trekking is infinite. Hiking is essentially walking that is considered to be one of the most perfect forms of exercise for your body. You can get a chance to spend some quality time together with the Mother Nature, so it also provides a mental health antidote. Everyone can find trails to suit their physical strengths. And unlike other activities or sports, it is a pursuit that allows people to determine their own limitations.”
As far as the actual health benefits associated with hiking, the list may go endless consisting of several mental as well as physical health benefits, “such as losing excess pounds, preventing heart disease, decreasing hypertension or high blood pressure, improving and maintaining mental health, slowing the aging process, preventing osteoporosis, improving the quality of the air we breathe, preventing and controlling diabetes, improving arthritis, relieving back pain (which has become an epidemic in the modern contemporary world) along with healthy habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy.”
In addition, hiking is FREE! Except for a few ESSENTIALS (i.e. LARA bars 
), all you need is an open trail. It’s a great activity to enjoy with your partner, family or kids and the level of difficulty can be adjusted accordingly.
So get out there! Explore some of your city’s parks and hiking trails! Don’t have any? Create your own! Head into the woods with a friend (don’t forget a compass!) and get exploring. Happy hiking!
Take a look at some of our photos for inspiration:
Buttermilk Falls
North Chagrin Reservation
North Chagrin Reservation
North Chagrin Reservation
Me at Squire's Castle!
Squire's Castle
Close up on Squire's Castle
Look at a lil friend we found!
Our new friend, trying to keep up
So pretty
My Mister!
How often do you take advantage of your local parks?
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